Life's a picnic: Our top alfresco dining spots in the world

On a warm day, nothing quite beats spreading out a blanket over a patch of grass (or sand), kicking off your shoes and sitting down with something delicious, a cool drink and a killer view to take in. In honour of National Picnic Week – and as the current British weather isn’t akin to outdoors activities – we’re daydreaming of our favourite spots around the globe for a spot of alfresco dining. Fill up your picnic basket and we’ll meet you there.

Thailand always manages to find a place on our favourites lists for pretty much anything and this one is no different - it's difficult to narrow a country of incredible natural beauty down to a single spot that we love, but we're going to have to choose the waterfall dining experience at Soneva Kiri. Amid the palm-topped hills of unspoilt Koh Kood is Klong Chao waterfall, where you can have a private picnic followed by a dip in the clear blue water.

The lunar landscape of Atacama Desert forms a spectacular backdrop for a picnic and this, combined with the amazing Chilean food, makes the area one of our top choices. Pack a bottle of local wine and take in the show of vibrant flamingo and spouting geysers against arid mountains and salt lakes - an experience you're not likely to forget.

This one requires little justification - just take a look at the picture. A tropical paradise bobbing in the crystalline Indian Ocean, Fregate Island is a private island full of wildlife, jungle and plenty of exotic fruit to stock your picnic basket with. Post-lunch, stretch out under the shade of a palm tree and snooze off in the afternoon sun to the sound of the waves: our idea of bliss.

An afternoon's bike ride around the wineries of Napa and Sonoma Valley is, in our humble opinion, best topped off by parking somewhere with a view of the ranks of grapevines and laying out a spread of local organic cheeses and bread - not forgetting the bottle of wine that you picked up along the way.

Take fine dining to the great outdoors with a posh picnic - prepared and packed up by the chefs of Marlin Lodge, alongside pillows and blankets - on the shores of Benguerua Island, where you can work up an appetite with some snorkelling and swimming in the greeny-blue water, then have a feast on the virtually private beach. Keep this one quiet before anyone else discovers it.

All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk. Book with Confidence. We are a member of ABTA (ABTA No. Y6561) which means you have the benefit of ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct. We provide full financial protection for your money.

Discover over 80 destinations all around the world on a luxury tailor-made holiday, honeymoon or family adventure with Exsus Travel. Whatever you're after, from getting off the beaten track and experiencing unique attractions or wildlife, to blissing out in your very own island paradise, we've got it all - and more.

Need some inspiration on where to go, and some tips on when is the best time of year to travel? Take a look at our handy month-by-month guide on some of our favourite destinations, from visiting the magical snow-covered landscapes of Sweden in January to enjoying a sun-kissed getaway in the Maldives in December.

Celebrate a special occasion in ultimate style, from marking a milestone birthday or anniversary to finding that perfect spot to propose. Enjoy epic holidays that go above and beyond, with exclusive experiences from scenic flights to tailor-made wildlife safaris.

Enjoy a tailor-made safari or wildlife adventure on a memorable holiday which will take you to the very best wildlife spots all around the world, from bespoke guided safaris to see the fabled Big Five in Africa to getting up close and personal with orangutans in Borneo.

We've launched a brand new brochure! Find inspiration, ideas and unique hotels and experiences for your next holiday, honeymoon or family adventure in incredible destinations all over the world, from Italy to Peru.

From honeymooners to families, find out what our recent travellers have to say about their holidays with Exsus and how our experts have ensured their experience goes above and beyond, from start to finish.